Improvement in fence-posts



B. GALKINS.

Fence-Post.

Patented J ne 18,1878.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BELUSTOALKINS, OF VARYSBURG, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204,948, dated June 18, 1878; application filed April 5, 187 8.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BELUS GALKINs, of Varysburg, in the county of Wyoming and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Fences; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to portable fences; and consists in certain improvements in the constructionof the same, as hereinafter shown and described.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved fence. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the detachable foot-piece applied to the end of a fence-post. Fig. 3 shows, in vertical section, the manner of securing rails to fence-posts. Fig. 4 shows the pin used'in securing wires to posts. Fig. 5 represents a wrench used to turn the pins for the purpose of tightening the wires.

Referring to the said drawing, A designates the posts of the fence, each of which is provided with a foot-piece, B, the latter being usually of cast metal. The upper part of the foot-piece is made hollow, or in the form of a box or socket, b, to receive the end of the post.

A number of blades are formed in one casting with the box I), or rigidly fixed thereto, these blades being intended to be in the ground when the foot-piece is set in place,while the box is preferably just above the surface and resting thereon. Two of these blades (indicated by c) extend downward, like continuations oftwo sides of the box 0, and are pointed at their lower extremities, as shown. The blades 0 are connected by the main brace or plate a, extending from the bottom of the box 1) down the same distance as the blades 0.

The blades d, fixed to the outer sides of blades 0, are on a horizontal line with the main brace a, and should extend upward as far as the surface of the ground. The blades 6 are fixed to the brace a, and also to the box b. When the post isset in position the blades 6 are on the front and rear sides, and form additional braces for both the upper and lower part of the foot-piece. The metallic foot-piece,

however, when constructed without the braces 6, will hold a wooden post in position quite firmly; and I consider the most important features of my invention the box b, provided with the blades 0 and brace a, the parts being cast or rigidly connected together.

This construction of foot-piece is claimed to have the advantage of great strength in a light metallic casting or structure, the parts being made quite thin.

The blades and braces being fixed so that some are at right angles with others, the footpiece is well calculated to sustain the post in proper position against it from any direction.

The wires (indicated by O) are secured to the posts A in the following manner: The pins f, being preferably of wood, and formed with heads to be turned by means of a wrench, are driven in holes through the posts A. Each pin has a hole through it near the head, suitable for passing a wire through it. Each length of wire has one end looped around and fastened to a pin, f, in one post, and the other end of the wire is passed through a hole in a pin in the next post, and bent as indicated in Fig. 1. Then by turning the pin through which the wire passes, using the wrench I, the wire 0 is tightened and made straight.

In Fig. 3 is shown the manner of securing rails to the posts A when rails are preferred. A side piece, D, is provided for each post. This side piece has its inner side recessed to correspond with the shape of the rails used, and is placed in an upright position against the post A, with the rails E restingin the recesses, as shown. The side pieces D are then fastened in place by means of screw-bolts g, passing through them and screwed tightly into the posts A, and the rails E are held firmly in position. The bolts 9 are readily withdrawn, and the fence may be thus taken apart without injury when desired.

I claim as my invention The foot-piece having the box or socket b, and provided with the brace a and blades 0, the parts being cast or rigidly connected to gether, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BELUS OALKINS.

Witnesses:

H. A. DANIELS, G. B. TowLEs. 

